Sheldon man accused of having meth near Abbotsford

NEILLSVILLE, Wis. (CLARK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE) -- On May 27th 2014, at about 8:58pm, Jeffrey P. Mertens, 29 years old, was arrested on STH 29 near Abbotsford. He was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Manufacture/Delivery of Methamphetamine, Operating with a Detectable amount of a Restricted Controlled Substance and Carrying a Concealed Weapon.

Mr. Mertens was traveling east when passed an unmarked K9 unit at a high rate of speed. The Deputy stopped the vehicle for speeding and advised the driver he would be running his dog around the vehicle. Mr. Mertens said he 'was clean' and commented that he just passed a urine test for his Probation agent.

After the dog alerted on the vehicle Mr. Mertens was searched. The Deputy found a methamphetamine pipe that was still hot, a small butane torch and a bic lighter. When asked about the items he said he was going to Abbotsford to get some Methamphetamine. They also located a bag of Methamphetamine in his left shoe.

When Deputies searched the vehicle they found a digital scale, baggies of Methamphetamine, a pistol holster, a 12 inch long bayonet in a sheath under the driver's seat and a bottle of urine. We believe the urine was used by Mr. Mertens to pass the earlier urine test.

Mr. Mertens is currently being held in the Clark County Jail under a $10,000.00 cash bond.

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